Four months after the Constitution Review Committee handed over its full report to President John Mahama, Ghanaians still haven't seen it. And the Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reform is tired of waiting.
The coalition of more than 90 civil society organisations, trade unions, and professional bodies on Friday called on the government to publish a clear roadmap with timelines for the review of the 1992 Constitution. They want to know exactly when the implementation mechanism will be set up, when bills will go to Parliament, and when the referendum will happen.
“The constitutional amendment process is procedurally demanding,” the Platform said in a statement. Both entrenched and non-entrenched amendments must be published in the Gazette at least six months before they can be introduced in Parliament. Entrenched provisions also need a review by the Council of State and approval through a referendum. Non-entrenched ones require Council of State review and a parliamentary supermajority.
That means time isn't on anyone's side. The next election cycle will soon dominate the national agenda, and the Platform warns that if preparatory work doesn't accelerate immediately, the window for completing reform could close.
The CRC, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, submitted its full report on 26 January 2026 after extensive nationwide consultations. A summary of the report was published and received broad approval across the political spectrum. But the full report hasn't been released to the public.
The government has announced that the President would chair a special Cabinet meeting to consider a draft position paper prepared by the Attorney General and the President's legal team. Media reports suggest the government has approved some proposals and plans to table amendment bills in Parliament — including the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives. But the Platform says a comprehensive implementation roadmap is still missing.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Ghana, and its renewal must be completed in their name and within their sight,” the Platform emphasised.
The Platform has announced it will formally request consultations with key stakeholders: the President, the Speaker of Parliament, leadership of both Majority and Minority caucuses, the Chairman of the Council of State, and political party leaders. The discussions will cover the next phase of the reform process, including the establishment of an implementation mechanism, legislative and referendum timelines, public consultation, civic education, and sustained citizen participation.
The coalition also invited political parties to consider a cross-party compact committing them to agreed timelines, constructive engagement on amendment bills, and a code of conduct for referendum campaigns that prioritises national interest over electoral advantage.
The Citizens’ Platform is convened by CDD-Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation, and Democracy Hub. Its steering committee includes NETRIGHT, ACEPA, and PNA. The group has offered to support the state in civic education, public engagement, and technical aspects of the reform process.
They have issued an urgent call for the publication of the full CRC report, a formalised roadmap with clear milestones, the inauguration of the implementation mechanism, transparent communication of the government's position, and the establishment of legislative and referendum schedules in accordance with Articles 289 to 291 of the Constitution.
So far, the government hasn't responded to the Platform's demands. But the clock is ticking.